Dembele and Bonmati Celebrate Top Honors at Paris Ceremony

Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati have claimed prestigious awards at a ceremony in Paris, recognizing their outstanding performances in football. Dembele, the 28-year-old forward for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), received a significant accolade after playing a pivotal role in securing the club’s first UEFA Champions League title last season.

Dembele’s achievement marks him as the sixth French player to win the award, following in the footsteps of Karim Benzema, who last received it in 2022. He triumphed over Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and his PSG teammate Vitinha, who finished in second and third place, respectively. Speaking at the ceremony, Dembele expressed his joy, stating, “What I have just experienced is exceptional… It’s not easy to win this trophy, and to have it presented to me by Ronaldinho, a legend of football, is exceptional.”

His emotional address was made even more heartfelt by the presence of his mother, who joined him on stage. Dembele reflected on his journey, thanking PSG for bringing him to the club in 2023 and highlighting the supportive environment he has found there. “The president Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] is like a father to me… This individual trophy is one the team has won collectively,” he added.

In addition to Dembele’s individual achievement, PSG had a remarkable night overall. The club, which recently celebrated a treble, including the Champions League, Ligue 1, and the French Cup, also secured the title of team of the season. Coach Luis Enrique was honored as best coach, while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who transferred to Manchester City during the summer, received the Yashin trophy for top goalkeeper. Al-Khelaifi remarked, “It’s the result of hard work, by everyone at the club. We’ve got young players and stars who work for the team. It’s a collective achievement.”

Aitana Bonmati also shone at the awards, securing her third consecutive Ballon d’Or title. The 27-year-old midfielder, who played a vital role in her team’s journey to the Champions League final, acknowledged the hard work behind her success. “I’m amazed and proud because it’s a lot of hard work. I’m here for the third time in a row because of the teams I’ve been playing with,” she stated. Bonmati’s team, FC Barcelona, unfortunately lost 1-0 to Arsenal in this year’s final.

The ceremony underscored the significant accomplishments of both male and female athletes in football. Didier Deschamps, head coach of the French national team, praised Dembele, saying, “A great evening for him and a very good thing for French football. Ousmane has had a difficult career with serious injuries but has always kept things in perspective.”

As the football community looks to the future, both Dembele and Bonmati expressed aspirations for continued success. Dembele aims to replicate his achievements with PSG and the national team, while Bonmati is determined to lead her squad to victory in the Champions League next season. Their recognition at the ceremony highlights the ongoing evolution and growth of football, with both players representing the best of their respective leagues.